Ban reimposed on e-prescriptions for dangerous drugs

MANILA, Philippines — Physicians are again required to use the special prescription form from the Department of Health (DOH) in issuing prescriptions for dangerous drugs to their patients, according to an advisory by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) issued on Thursday.

Following President Marcos’ lifting of the COVID state of public health emergency last July 21, the DDB said all prescriptions for dangerous drugs shall revert to the special form exclusively issued by and obtainable from the DOH.

The DDB said Proclamation 297 series of 2023 issued by Marcos categorically stated that all “prior orders, memoranda and issuances that are effective only during the state of public health emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.”

“Thus, the authorization to use electronic and ordinary prescriptions for dangerous drugs under DDB advisories dated March 18, 2020; May 14, 2020; May 15, 2020; July 2, 2020 and Feb. 1, 2023 is withdrawn,” DDB chairman Secretary Catalino Cuy said.The DDB, in an advisory in March 2020, allowed electronic prescriptions for dangerous drugs when the government under then president Rodrigo Duterte imposed a lockdown due to COVID-19.During lockdown, face-to-face transactions were restricted to slow the spread of the virus, which then had no vaccines.Under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, prescriptions issued by physicians, dentists, veterinarians or practitioners shall be written on forms exclusively issued by the health department.The DDB said the same clause provides for an exception wherein the special prescription form need not be used in “emergency cases” and “in the public interest.”Under DDB Regulation No. 1 issued in 2014, an epidemic is included in the list of emergencies when the special prescription form need not be used.